Method and apparatus for liquid treating yarn traveling in a helical path



INVENTORS. GERGE M. ALLEN '3f giu JOHN WA TS ON PEDLW I Afro/PNEY Patented Oct. 13, 1953 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIQUID TREATiNG YARN TRAVELING IN A HELICAL PATH George M. Allen, Swarthmore, and John Watson Pedlow, Chester, Pa., assignors to American Viscose Corporation poration of Delaware Wilmington, Del., a. cor-.-

Application August .27, 1949, Serial. No, 112,824

9 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for the liquid treatment of a traveling yarn. More particularly, this invention relates to methods and apparatus for applying treating liquids successively to a traveling yarn.

In the manufacture and after treatment of many kinds of yarn,it is often necessary to apply `controlled amounts of treating liquids successively to the yarn. For example, in the manufacture and processing of rayon made by the viscose process, the yarn is subjected to a number of liquid treatments such as Washing, desulphurizing, and bleaching.

In the methods and apparatus of the prior art for applying treating liquids one after another to yarn, it was found diiflcult to apply controlled amounts of the treating liquids to thoroughly treat the yarn and to prevent excessive mixing of the treating liquids. In a number of instances the liquid was applied by means oi' nozzles or orifices which were subject to plugging and required constant inspection. It was also found that in methods and apparatus of the prior art, recirculating excess treating liquids for reuse required a large amount of additional equipment that was power consuming and required considerable maintenance.

The principal object of this invention is to provide methods and apparatus for applying treating liquid to traveling yarn that overcome disadvantages and objections to methods and apparatus found in the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide simplified and improved methods and apparatus for uniformly and thoroughly applying treating liquid to traveling yarn and for removing and reapplying excess treating liquid to the yarn.

A further object of the invention is to provide simplified and improved methods and apparatus for uniformly and thoroughly applying treating liquids in succession to traveling yarn without excessive mixing of the diiferent treating liquids.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawing.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a front view of a form of apparatus embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the form of apparatus shown in Figure ,1, the section being taken on the line I-II in Figure l,

.Figure 3 is another sectional view of the form of apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, the section being taken on the line IIL-III in Figure 2,

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CII

Figure 4 is a sectional view of another form of apparatus embodying the invention, the section being taken on the line in Figure 5,

Figure 5 is another sectional view of the form of apparatus shown in Figure 4, the section being taken on the line V--V in Figure 4,

Figures 6, 7, and 8 are perspective views of forms of liquid applying fingers forming a part of the invention.

In the present invention helical turns of yarn, while being advanced on a rotating yarn storage-yarn advancing device, are subjected to fine drops or a spray of treating liquid to uniformly and thoroughlytreat the yarn with the liquid without disturbing the spacing between the turns of' yarn. The yarn storageeadvancing device is rotated at such speed that the excess treating liquid is removed from the yarn by centrifugal force shortly after it has been applied. The excess treating liquid that is thrown ofi the yarn is immediately returned by gravity to a liquid applying means and is reapplied to the yarn. When the yarn is treated with a succession of treating liquids, the different treating liquids are applied to the yarn in separate and distinct zones, and substantial mixing of the treating liquids is prevented. Likewise, when the yarn is treated with the same liquid in successive steps, each liquid application is carried out in a separate and distinct zone.

The apparatus in general in which the invention is embodied comprises a rotatable yarn storage-yarn advancing device having adjacent and extending lengthwise thereof a trough-like container for liquid and means for forming `fine drops of the liquid and for projecting the drops onto rotating turns of yarn being advanced on the yarn storage-advancing device. Means are provided for collecting excess liquid thrown off the yarn and for returning it directly by gravity to the means for forming the drops and projecting them onto the yarn so that elaborate power consuming recirculating means for the liquid is not required. i In order to apply diiTerent liquids to the yarn in succession or the same liquid in a plurality of steps, the trough-like container is divided into compartments that extend lengthwise of the yarn storage device. Each compartment is provided with means for supplying liquid to the compartment and for maintaining the liquid at a certain desired level. Each compartment is also provided with means for fcrming fine drops of the liquid supplied tc the compartment and for projecting that liquid onto the yarn on the yarn storage-advancing device. The drops of liquid that are applied Y vice may be either single to the yarn may be substantially limited to those drops that are projected in the general direction the portions of the turns of the yarn to which the drops are applied are moving in rotating on the yarn storage-yarn advancing device or if desired the drops may be applied in a direction counter to this. The paths of the drops that are applied to the yarn are in general approximately tangential to the turns of the yarn. This is to avoid damaging and disarranging the filaments of the yarn. Liquid to be applied to the yarn is introduced into a compartment at one end and flows to the other end where the excess is discharged. The direction of the flow along the compartment may be either in the same direction or counter to the direction the turns of yarn are being advanced along the yarn storage-advancing device depending on the nature of the liquid treatment that is being carried out.

When it is desired to apply the same liquid to the yarn in a succession of separate steps such as in a washing operation, a compartment for the washing liquid is divided by partitions into sub-compartments each of which extends length- Wise of the yarn storage-advancing device. The treating liquid is introduced at the end of the rst sub-compartment and is caused to flow along the sub-compartment to the other end, then into the adjacent end of the next sub-compartment and so on through all the sub-compartments to the discharge at the end of the last sub-compartment. The direction of the flow of the liquid through the sub-compartments is preferably counter to the direction the turns of yarns are advanced along the yarn storage-advancing device. Each compartment and in certain embodiments each sub-compartment defines a distinct zone along the yarn storage-yarn advancing device in which a liquid is applied to the yarn. The liquid applied in a particular zone is coniined to that zone by the compartment or sub-compartment andthe means for collecting and returning the excess liquid, so that excessive mixing of the differentV liquids or parts of the same liquids are prevented.

This invention is applicable to treating yarns, threads, iilaments, ribbons, and the like, and the term yarn as used above and hereinafter is intended-to be inclusive.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawing in which an embodiment of the invention is shown in which different liquids may be applied to the yarn and also the same liquid may be applied to the yarn in a series of separate steps, reference characterV 2 indicates a yarn storageyarn advancing device-that is shown diagrammatically. The yarn storage-yarn advancing deor double end supported and of any of the types which are well-known in the art, such as, for example, that shown in the patent to Stanley et al. 2,403,031. The device rotates about-its axis in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 2 and spaced helical turns of yarn are advanced along the device to the right as viewed in FigureV l. A trough-like member 3 that extends the length of the yarn ystorageadvancing device is positioned beneath the de- :viceand vto one side. A covering-member 4 that surrounds a portion of the yarn storage-advancing device is iitted to the trough-like member so that the yarn storage-advancing device is enclosed by the cover and trough-like member throughout its length. The trough-like member Vis Vprovided withV the transverse partitions #2 5 forming the compartments 6, 1, and 8 that extend along the trough-like member. Liquid is introduced into each compartment by the inlet pipe 9 and ows to the other end to the overiiow pipe I0 which maintains the liquid at the desired level. The direction of flow of the liquid in t-he compartments is counter to the direction the yarn is advanced on the yarn storage-advancing device. If it is desired that the flow of liquid in a compartment be in the same direction as the turns of yarn are being advanced, the positions of the inlet and overflow pipes are reversed. Each compartment is provided with means Il for forming drops of liquid and for projecting the drops onto the yarn. The means comprises a rotary cylindrical brush-like me ber l2 mounted for rotation on the drive shaft I3 which extends lengthwise of the trough-like member and approximately parallel to the axis of the rotation of the yarn storage-advancing device thro-ugh cut out portions in the partitions. The partitions extend across the bottom of the trough-like member and at least part way across the top.

As shown by the arrows in Figure 2 the shaft I3 and the brush-like members are rotated in the same direction as the yarn storage-advancing device so that the drops of liquid are projected in the general direction the portions of the turns of yarn to which the drops are applied are moving in rotation with the yarn storageyarn advancing device. Where it is desired that the drops be applied to the yarn in a direction counter to this, the yarn storage-yarn advancing device may be rotated in a direction counter to the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 2 or counter clock-wise as viewed in this gure. Each brush-like member extends lengthwise of its respective compartment and is of such length that its ends are spaced from the adjacent partitions and the ends of the trough. The brushlike members are provided with outwardly extending finger-like members I4 of flexible resilient material such as rubber, plastic, or the like. Forms of the finger-like members areshown in Figures 6, 7, and 8. In Figure 6 the fingerlike member 30 is mounted on a supporting base member 3! only a portion of which is shown, and is generally shaped as a frustum of a cone with the outer free end smaller than the portion at the base. The finger-like member 32 in Figure 7, mounted on the base member 33 is generally wedge shaped and Ihas an elongated cross section the longer axis or^ which extends in the direction the member is rotated. In Figure 8 the finger-like member is generally conical in form with a at disk-like portion'35 at thefree end. The liquid is maintained in each compartment by the overflow outletat such level that the iingerlike members dip a short distance into the liquid. In order-to subject the yarn to successive treatments with the same liquid as in a washing operation, a plurality of sub-partitions i5 like the partitions 5 are positioned transverselyrin the compartment 1 forming the sub-compartments i6, l1, I8, and I9. Liquid is introduced at the right hand end andl at one side of the sub-compartment i9 and iiows from the sub-compartment i9 through the orifices 2l, 22, and 23 at alternate sides of the sub-partitions through the subcompartments I8, I1, and I5 and is discharged from compartment I6 through the overflow outlet l0. A brush-like member l2 is provided for each sub-compartment which is of less length than the sub-compartment so that each end is spaced from the adjacent partition or sub-partition. Liquid introduced at the end ot the subcompartment i9 flows through the other compartments to the end of the sub-compartment IB in a direction counter to the direction the turns of yarn are advanced. The housing or cover member comprises a stationary portion 24, an extension 25 that is ilxed to the troughlike member at one side, and a removable section 26 that is attached at one side to the stationary section and at the other side to the trougihlike member. The sections and extensions of the cover member conform to the curvature of the yarn storage-advancing device and are spaced a short distance therearound. The extension of the stationary cover section is positioned between a portion of the brush-like members and the yarn storage-advancing device leaving. a limited opening between the trough-like member and the yarn storage-advancing device. The cover member is provided with flanges or fins 2l that extend inwardly all the way around the cover member to within a short distance from the yarn storage-advancing device. The anges are spaced apart along the cover member and are in line with the partitions and sub-partitions in the troughlike member. Upstanding baille means 28 are positioned lengthwise in each com partment and sub-compartment spaced a short distance from the bottom of the compartment Y and positioned between the brush-like member and the yarn storage-advancing device to prevent undue turbulence of the liquid in the compartment or sub-compartment.

In the operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3` of the draw* ing, yarn is directed to the left hand end of the rotating yarn storage-advancing device as viewed in Figure 1 and spaced helical turns of the yarn are advanced to the right to the other end of the device. The iingers on the brush-like members which are rotated at high speed as shown in the same direction as the yarn storage-advancing device dip a short distance into the liquid in the compartments and project ne drops of the liquid through the opening between the extension of the cover member and the side of the trough-like member onto the turns of yarn. The drops of liquid being applied to the turns of yarn when the turns are rotating in the direction shown, are moving in substantially the same direction the turns of yarn are rotating so that they do not damage laments of the yarn or change the spacing between the turns. The yarn storageadvancing device is rotated at such high speed that the excess liquid applied to the` yarn is thrown oiT by centrifugal force shortly after itis applied to the yarn. The excess liquid thrown off the yarn is returned directly by gravity down the inclined inside surface of the cover member to the compartment or sub-compartment from which it was projected. The inwardly extending flanges on the cover member, and the partitions and sub-partitions in the trough-like member, form separate and distinct zones along the yarn storage-advancing device each having a separate liquid applying means. Because the ends of the brush-like members are spaced from the adjacent partitions and sub-partitions, no liquid is applied to the turns o1 yarn while passing from a zone into another and the excess liquid applied to the turns of yarn in one zone is thrown oi before the yarn enters the next zone. The inwardly extending iianges on the cover mem-` bers and the partitions in the trough-dike member prevent the mixing of the liquid from one zone into another. In the washing zone the travel of the liquid from one sub-compartment to another is controlled and through the orices in the sub-partitions so that a countercurrent washing operation may be efficiently carried out.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawing is the same as that shown in Figures l, 2, and 3 with the excep tion of the sub-partitions 4D and brush-like member 4l in the compartment 42 where the yarn may be treated successively with the same liquid as in a washing operation. A single brush-like member 4l is provided for the compartment 42 which extends over the sub-compartments and is of such length that its ends are spaced a short distance from the partitions of the adjacent compartments in the trough-like member. The subpartitions have cut out portions so that they clear the brush-like members and the sub-partitions extend across the troughdike member beneath the brush-like member and partly above the brush-like member. The cut out portions are of such depth as indicated by reference character 43 that they extend below the level the liquid is maintained in the compartment. Liquid is introduced into the compartment adjacent one end by the conduit 44 and Hows from one compartment to another over the sub-partitions at the cut out portion to the overiiow discharge pipe 1&5 positioned at the other end of the compartment. The direction of flow is counter to the` direction in which the turns of yarn are ad1 vanced. The cover member in the region of thiscompartment is provided with inwardly extend ing fianges 48 positioned in line with the sub* partitions which confine the excess liquid thrown off the yarn to the region of the sub-compart ment from which it had been applied, and uncontrolled mixing of the liquid from one subcompartment into another is prevented.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as delined in the claims.

We claim:

l. A method for treating a traveling yarn with liquid comprising continuously passing the yarn through a helical path having a generally horizontal axis, rotating the helix at sufficient speed to throw excess liquid oi the yarn thereof by centrifugal force, providing a body of liquid beneath said path, said body of liquid being closely adjacent to but spaced from the helix of yarn in said path, lifting small portions of the liquid out of said body and projecting such portions in drop-like form` directly upwardly through the intervening space to the lower periphery of the yarn helix, throwing excess liquid oi the yarn by centrifugal` force, collecting the excess liquid thrown oir adjacent the helix on a surface inclined downwardly toward the body of liquid, and immediately returning the collected liquid directly by gravity along said surface to the body of liquid.

2. A method for treating a traveling yarn with liquid comprising continuously passing the yarn through a helical path having a generally horizontal axis, rotating the helix at sufficient speed to throw excess liquid oi the yarn thereof by centrifugal force, providing a body of liquidin a region beneath said path, said regonbeing closely adjacent to but spaced from the helix of yarn in said path, moving the `liquid in said body through said region in a direction generally lengthwise of the yarn helix, lifting small porn tions of the liquid out of said body fromyarious zones of said region and projecting such portions in drop-like form directly upwardly through the intervening space to the lower periphery of the yarn helix, throwing excess liquid oif the yarn by centrifugal force, collecting the excess liquid thrown off adjacent the helix on a surface in clined downwardly toward the body of liquid, and immediately returning the collected liquid directly by gravity along said surface to the body of liquid in approximately the Zones of the region whence they originated.

3. A method for treating a traveling yarn wi-th liquid comprising continuously passing the yarn through a helical path having a generally horizontal axis, rotating the helix at sufficient speed to throw excess liquid off the yarn thereof by centrifugal force, providing a body of liquid in a region beneath said path, said region being closely adjacent to but spaced from the helix of yarn in said path, moving the liquid in said body through said region in a direction generally lengthwise of the yarn helix counter to the direction of advance of the yarn helix, lifting small portions of the liquid out of said body from various zones of said region and projecting such portions in drop-like form directly upwardly through the intervening space to the lower periphery of the yarn helix, throwing excess liquid olf the yarn by centrifugal force, coliecting the excess liquid thrown oi adjacent the helix on a surface inclined downwardly toward the body of liquid, and immediately returning the collected liquid directly by gravity to the body of liquid in approximately the Zones of the region whence they originated.

4. In apparatus for the liquid treatment of a traveling yarn, a yarn-storage, yarn-advancing device comprising a rotor mounted on a substantially horizontal axis for advancing helical turnsrof yarn carried on the periphery Vof' said rotor axially thereof, a container for a body of liquid positioned below and adjacent to the rotor, means for maintaining the surface of the body of liquid at a level substantially spaced below the rotor, a rotary shaft mounted in the container above the surface of the liquid on a horizontal axis, an annular member xed on the shaft having a plurality of projections thereon ofV such length as to extend into the body of liquid during rotation of the member, a member having its lower end attached to the container at one side thereof. and extending away from said container about the rotor, said member having an inside surface extending upwardly from said lower Vend whereby any liquid reaching said surface after being discharged from the yarn 4will flow directly by gravity back into the container,

Y5. In apparatus for the liquid treatment` of a traveling yarn, a yarn-storage, yarn-advancing device comprising a rotor mounted on a substantially horizontal axis for advancing helical turns of yarn carried on the periphery of said rotor axially thereof,V a container for a body of liquid positioned adjacent to, and generally below one side of, the rotor, means for maintaining the surface Yof the body of liquid at a level substantially spaced below the rotor, a rotary shaft mounted Vin the container above the surface of the liquid on a substantially horizontal axis generally parallel to the axis of the rotor, an annular member fixed on and extending lengthwise of V,the shaft andhaving a plurality of projections thereon of such length as to extend into the body of liquid during rotation of the member, a member,

extending about the other side of the rotor from the adjacent side of the container, said member having an inside surface extending upwardly from the container whereby any liquid reaching said inside surface after being discharged from the yarn will flow directly by gravity down said in-v side surface back into the container.

6. In apparatus for the liquid treatment of a traveling yarn, said apparatus having a front side and a back side, a yarn-storage, yarn-advancing device comprising a rotor mounted on a substantially horizontal axis spaced between the front and back of the apparatus for advancing helical -turns of yarns carried on the periphery of said rotor axially thereof, a container for a body of liquid positioned adjacent to, and generally below, the side of the rotor facing the back, means for maintaining the surface of the body of liquid at a level substantially spaced below the rotor, a rotary shaft mounted in the container above the surf-ace of the liquid on a substantially hori- Zontal axis generally parallel to the of the rotor, an annular member fixed on and extending lengthwise of the shaft and having a plurality of projections thereon of such length as to extend into the body of liquid during rotation of the member, a housing about the rotor, said housing comprising ya member of semi-cylindrical shape extending from the side of the container facing the front about the side of the rotor facing the front, said semi-cylindrical member having an inside surface extending upwardly irom'the container whereby any liquid reaching said inside surface after being discharged from the yarn will flow directly by gravity down said inside sur# face back into the container, and means above the side of the container at the back extending from said container side to the housing for closing the container at the back. i

7. In apparatus for the liquid treatment of a traveling yarn, a yarn-storage, yarn-advancing device comprising a rotor mounted on a substanf tially horizontal axis for advancing helical turns of yarn carried on the periphery of said rotor axially thereof, a container having a bottom and side walls for receiving la body of liquid positioned adjacent to, and generally below one side of, the rotor,imeans for maintaining the surface of the body of liquid at a level substantially spacedlbelow the rotor, a rotary shaft mounted in the container above the surface of the liquid on a substantially horizontal axis generally parallel to the axis of the rotor, an annular member xed on and extending lengthwise of the shaft and having a plurality of projections thereon of such length as to extend into the body of liquid during rotation of the member, a member extending about the other side of the rotor from the ad-V jacent side of the container, said'member having an inside surface extending upwardly from the Ycontainer whereby any liquid reaching said inside surface after being discharged from the yarnV will flow directly by gravity down said inside surface back into the container, a generally vertical partition in the container extending upwardly from the bottom thereof in a generallyA vertical Y plane transversely of the axis of the shaft to divide the container into compartments, said partition having an upper edge spaced from the shaft, Vthe annular member and the projections, and an inwardly extending flange on said inside surface in line with Vsaid partition.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said annular member extends over the partition into the adjacent compartments.

9. In apparatus for the liquid treatment of a traveling yarn, a yarn-storage, yarn-advancing device comprising a rotor mounted on a substantially horizontal axis for advancing helical turns of yarn carried on the periphery of said rotor axially thereof, a container having a bottom and side walls for receiving a body of liquid positioned adjacent to, and generally below one side of, the rotor, means for maintaining the surface of the body of liquid in said container at a level substantially spaced below the rotor, a rotary shaft mounted in the container above the surface of the liquid on a substantially horizontal axis generally parallel to the axis of the rotor, a generally vertical partition in the container extending upwardly from the bottom thereof in a generally vertical plane transversely of the axis of the shaft to divide the container into compartments, said partition having an upper edge spaced from the shaft, a plurality of annular members fixed on and extending lengthwise of the shaft each having a plurality of projections thereon of such length as to extend, during rotai tion of the member, into the body of liquid disposed in one of said compartments, a member extending about the other side of the rotor from the adjacent side of the container, said member 10 having an inside surface extending upwardly from the container whereby any liquid reaching said inside surface after being discharged from the yarn will flow directly by gravity down said inside surface back into the container, and an inwardly extendingilange on said inside surface in line with said partition.

GEORGE M. ALLEN. JOHN WATSON PEDLOW.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 629,513 Liebscher July 25, 1899 1,717,249 Pferdmenges June 11, 1929 1,737,790 Gessner Dec, 3, 1929 1,753,251 Sjostrom Apr. 8, 1930 1,983,221 Furness Dec.. 4, 1934 2,002,994 Hartmann et al. May 28, 1935 2,199,093 Wolfeden Apr. 30, 1940 2,257,928 Yochem Oct. 7, 1941 2,308,511 Hilliard Jan. 19, 1943 2,308,576 Kornegg Jan. 19, 1943 2,317,747 Ewing Apr. 27, 1943 2,425,214 Voelker et al. Aug. 5, 1947 2,481,916 Ewing Sept. 13, 1949 2,513,381v Trutt July 4, 1950 

1. A METHOD FOR TREATING A TRAVELING YARN WITH LIQUID COMPRISING CONTINUOUSLY PASSING THE YARN THROUGH A HELICAL PATH HAVING A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS, ROTARING THE HELIX AT SUFFICIENT SPEED TO THROW EXCESS LIQUID OFF THE YARN THEREOF BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE, PROVIDING A BODY OF LIQUID BENEATH SAID PATH, SAID BODY OF LIQUID BEING CLOSELY ADJACENT TO BUT SPACED FROM THE HELIX OF YARN IN SAID PATH, LIFTING SMALL PORTIONS OF THE LIQUID OUT OF THE BODY AND PROJECTING SUCH PORTIONS IN DROP LIKE FORM DIRECTLY UPWARDLY THROUGH THE INTERVENING SPACE TO THE LOWER PERIPHERY OF THE YARN HELIX, THROWING EXCESS LIQUID OFF THE YARN BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE, COLLECTING THE EXCESS LIQUID THROWN OFF ADJACENT THE HELIX ON A SURFACE INCLINED DOWNWARDLY TOWARD THE BODY OF LIQUID, AND IMMEDIATELY RETURNING THE COLLECTED LIQUID DIRECTLY BY GRAVITY ALONG SAID SURFACE TO THE BODY OF LIQUID. 